Trained to trim by 'What Not to Wear' stylist

July 04, 2008|By Emily Arthur-Richardt, earthur@aberdeennews.com

While Carol Compton might not charge as much for a haircut as her latest instructor, she now knows how to cut hair like he does. Compton, a stylist at Tres Chic in Aberdeen, recently won a training session with Nick Arrojo, a hair stylist most known for his work on TLC's "What Not to Wear." Arrojo charges $500 for a haircut, she said. "My daughters and I love that show," said Compton, of Aberdeen, said about the style makeover television show. "We watch it all the time." Compton, 48, has been a stylist at Tres Chic for about 1 1/2 years; however, she's been in the business for 20 years. She recently traveled to Minneapolis for a hair show. It was there she won her chance to meet and train with Arrojo. Compton arrived early at a portion of the show and got a front row seat. At one point, Arrojo took the stage to give away two chances to attend a small-group, hands-on class with him. As he went to throw one of his business cards - that would determine who was chosen - it landed straight down at Compton's feet. "I just reached down and picked it up," she said. Compton's luck got her into a class of about 10. Each person in the three-hour class practiced cutting hair on a mannequin head, while Arrojo showed them what he does. "He's into razor cutting," Compton said. "I do razor cutting, but it was good to learn how he does it." Compton said the class gave her more confidence in her skills as a hairdresser. It was also nice to meet Arrojo, she said. "I like him because he's not all show," Compton said. "He's into doing basic things for the everyday people - stuff you'd see on anybody. Very nice cuts." Since she returned from the show in April, Compton said she's gotten questions and comments from people who see the picture of her and Arrojo that hangs in her station at work. Some people recognize him immediately. Some people don't. When Compton gets the questions, she tells her clients about getting to meet Arrojo and maybe even a little tidbit about the "What Not to Wear" show. For example, Arrojo, who has a salon in New York, does the hair of the show's participants at 8 a.m. "That seems early," Compton said. Reporter Emily Arthur-Richardt; (605) 622-2314 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 314